Richard Diamond, Private Detective: The House of Mystery Case 12/10/1949

Summary

Podcast Summary:

Richard Diamond, Private Detective – “The House of Mystery Case”
Original Airdate: December 10, 1949 | Recap by Choice Classic Radio
Episode Released: April 6, 2026

---

Episode Overview

In this episode of "Richard Diamond, Private Detective," titled "The House of Mystery Case," the wise-cracking gumshoe Rick Diamond gets called to protect a nervous widow, Julia Bates, through one last haunted night in her bizarre mansion before she inherits her late husband’s fortune. The case involves cryptic wills, eerie footsteps, and a house full of secret passages—plus a supernatural threat that may be more criminal than ghostly.

---

Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

The Client’s Fears and the Haunted House

• [01:24] Client Introduction
  • Julia Bates hires Diamond, claiming to be afraid of her late husband’s “haunted” house.
  • Her husband Warner, obsessed with mysticism, built the house replete with “secret passages and rooms and steps that lead nowhere.”
  • Notable Quote (Julia): "On his deathbed, Warner swore he'd visit me at the end of the third month...and if he could, take me with him back to the spirit world." (03:19)
  • Julia must remain in the house until noon the next day to secure her inheritance.

Enter the Detective

• [04:41] Classic Diamond Banter
  • Diamond maintains his trademark humor and skepticism about the supposed hauntings.
  • Meets Julia at her mausoleum-like home, greeted by the towering, eerie butler, Kane.

The House of Mystery

• [09:33] Arrival at the Bates Mansion
  • Julia describes her fears; Diamond tries to lighten the mood with flirtatious patter.
  • Memorable Exchange:
    • Diamond to Julia: “You don’t look like a witch. More like the good fairy after she’d heard about men.” (04:33)
  • Eerie sounds begin. Julia claims to hear someone on the cellar stairs.

A Body in the Closet?

• [10:59] The Apparition
  • Julia screams, believing she’s seen a bloody corpse in the cellar closet.
  • Diamond investigates, finds only bloodstains and no body; suspects a setup.

The Mystery Deepens

• [13:18] The Crypt Investigation
  • Diamond and Julia discover that Warner’s crypt is empty; the coffin is open.
  • They are plunged into darkness; a disembodied voice claims to be Warner, threatening to return at 9 PM to “take Julia with him.”
  • Chilling Moment:
    • Ghostly Voice: "Julia, I told you I'd come back for you....I will appear at 9 o'clock." (14:42)

Law Arrives; Tensions Escalate

• [12:51 & 15:00] Cops Take Note
  • Diamond calls Lieutenant Levinson (Walt) in for backup. The search continues, with weapons drawn.
  • Julia wants to flee, but Diamond insists she stay for her own protection.
  • They discover the "corpse" was, in fact, a wax dummy covered in fake blood—an elaborate scare tactic.
  • Diamond: “Someone planted this dummy. And someone is trying to scare Mrs. Bates out of this house.” (18:08)

The Trap is Set

• [20:56] Setting a Sting
  • Diamond arranges for Julia to remain in the living room alone, while he, Walt, and Otis hide in a secret room, waiting for the “ghost” to strike at 9 PM.
  • Comic Relief:
    • Otis: "Hey, you think a dead man really can come back to life?"
    • Diamond: "If you don't shut up, Otis, I'll give you a personal chance to try." (21:17)

The Ghost Strikes & The Culprit is Revealed

• [22:59] The Climax
  • At 9 PM, the lights go out, and the spectral voice returns, urging Julia to leave.
  • Diamond and crew rush out, tackle the “ghost”—who is revealed to be Anderson, Warner’s lawyer and executor of the will.
  • Confrontation:
    • Julia: “Why, it’s Warner’s lawyer, Mr. Anderson. The executor of the estate.” (24:08)
    • Anderson confesses: He tried to scare Julia into forfeiting her inheritance so he could claim the estate via a dummy charity.

Curtain Call & Rom-Com Close

• [25:07] Resolution and Romance
  • Julia thanks Diamond, inviting him to visit after she moves.
  • Flirtation and a kiss, closing the mystery on a lighthearted note.
  • Diamond returns home to his girlfriend Helen, who suspects he’s been flirting with a blonde (“Brilliant detective saves client’s life and fortune. She had to be grateful.” (26:46))
  • The episode wraps with a musical performance and playful domestic banter.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Julia (on the mansion):

  • “Warner built this house as a monument to his beliefs and filled it with secret passages and rooms and steps that lead nowhere.” (02:24)

• Diamond (comic touch):

  • “I'll be there with bones on.” (04:41)
  • “As happy as a bird in a hat full of worms.” (08:06)

• Lieutenant Walt Levinson:

  • “With you on the job, there'll be corpses jumping out of every window.” (08:27)
  • “Rick, if I didn’t know you were so— do I look like I’m happy about these things? I’m at a point where I’m believing in spooks and spirit worlds...” (16:23)

• Classic Reveal:

  • “We found the corpse, Walt. And how he disappeared so fast... it’s a dummy. Well, it is. Wax dummy with blood smeared on it. No wonder I wasn’t meant to see it.” (18:56)

---

Key Timestamps

• [01:24] — Julia Bates hires Diamond for protection from her “haunted” house
• [09:33] — Arrival at the Bates mansion; meet the butler, Kane
• [10:59] — Julia claims to see a bloody corpse
• [13:18] — Discovery of the empty crypt; ghostly voice warns of a 9 PM rendezvous
• [15:00] — Police arrival; Julia insists she’s leaving
• [18:56] — Discovery of the fake corpse (wax dummy) in secret room
• [21:17] — Stakeout with Walt and Otis; laying the trap
• [22:59] — The “ghost” appears right on time
• [24:08] — Ghost unmasked: Anderson, the lawyer, revealed and confesses
• [25:07] — Julia invites Diamond to see her; kiss and romantic resolution
• [26:20] — Diamond’s romantic postscript with Helen; musical close

---

Tone & Style

The episode is a classic blend of suspenseful noir and witty repartee, characteristic of Richard Diamond. The banter between Diamond and his police friends, as well as the comic-laced horror tropes (eerie houses, secret rooms, wax dummies), keeps the atmosphere light despite the spooky setup. The “supernatural” elements are quickly exposed as criminal tricks—true to the detective genre—and the story ends with romance and music rather than chills.

---

For fans of vintage radio mystery, this episode offers laughs, fast-paced sleuthing, and a satisfyingly rational solution to a “haunted house” case.

Transcript

[A]

This week with digital coupons at Safeway and Albertsons. Get beef rib roast for $7.97 per pound. Member price with minimum purchase of $50 or more in a single transaction. Exclusions apply. See Store for details and broccoli, cauliflower or Russet potatoes are 97 cents per pound. Member price limit 6 pounds plus. Selected sizes and varieties of Lucerne butter cheese or Philadelphia cream cheese are $1.97 each. Member price. Visit safewayralbertsons.com for more deals and ways to save. Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, and thank you for [e-mail]

[B]

portions of the following program are transcribed. Here is Dick Powell as Richard diamond, private detective.

[C]

Are you Mr. Diamond, creditor or client? I'm a client.

[B]

I'm a Diamond.

[C]

I'm glad.

[B]

It's a little informal, but. Hello. Glad? Call me Rick.

[C]

Oh, no, no, no, no. My name is Julia Bates, Mrs. Yes, but you don't have to call me Mrs. Bates. I'm a widow, you see. In fact, it may help our relationship if you call me Julia.

[B]

Oh, well, here we go again. All right, Julia. You can call me rick. The fee's 100 a day and expenses.

[C]

I want you to stay at my house tonight.

[B]

I said 100 a day in expenses.

[C]

Oh, the fee is all right, Mr. Rick. Money means nothing.

[B]

Yeah, well, you think your way and I'll think mine.

[C]

I'll make out a check right now.

[B]

No hurry. Anytime in the next 10 seconds. Thanks. Now, about this assignment.

[C]

Well, it may sound silly, but I'm afraid of the house I live in.

[B]

Oh, dandy.

[C]

I said it might sound silly, but it's deadly serious, I assure you.

[B]

I'm sure it is.

[C]

You see, my husband, Warner Bates, died three months ago. He was very strange man and believed devoutly in many forms of mysticism.

[B]

Oh, yeah? Yeah.

[C]

He built this house as a monument to his beliefs and filled it with secret passages and rooms and steps that lead nowhere.

[B]

Why not move out?

[C]

I'll be perfectly honest. It's because of the money.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

In his will, Warner stipulated I was to live in the house for a period of three months following his death. Three months is up tomorrow. And that it doesn't help that Warner is buried in the basement vault.

[B]

What's he doing watching Benny's money?

[C]

Well, he. He had a crypt built in the cellar, and a key, the only key to it, was placed in his coffin.

[B]

What's supposed to happen tonight.

[C]

Well, let me tell you the whole story. A month ago, I began to hear the strangest things in the house at night. And I found food half eaten on the kitchen table.

[B]

Ever try selling traps?

[C]

Well, the worst shock came when I went to the cellar a few days ago. I found footprints in the dust. Naked footprints leading to and from the crypt.

[B]

Maybe had to take a shower.

[C]

Please, please let me finish. On his deathbed, Warner swore he'd visit me at the end of the third month. And if he could take me with him back to the spirit world.

[B]

Oh, and tonight is the night?

[C]

Yes. At first I didn't think it would get me, but. Oh, I'm scared. Really scared.

[B]

Yeah, well, now look, baby, let's get off this misty kick. Who inherits if you don't live up to your requirements?

[C]

Well, that's just it. No one that is. No person that. The money goes to charities and schools. Mr. Anderson, the says the will is foolproof, legal and binding. Either I live in the house until noon tomorrow or forfeit the inheritance.

[B]

So what you wanted me to do is hang around tonight and see that hubby doesn't go death walking.

[C]

Yes, that's right. You don't have to be there till dark, but. Oh, don't be any later than that. Say, six o'. Clock.

[B]

Excuse me. Diamond Detective Agency. Free wheeling corpses? Ask the man who kills one.

[C]

That's Red. When are you going to stop those awful slogans?

[B]

Oh, hello, Helen, baby, gotta call you back. Got a client.

[C]

All right. Is she pretty?

[B]

I don't know. I'm parked behind a curve.

[C]

What?

[B]

Oh, forget it. I'll call you back. Bye now. Julia, you better go on home. Where's your broom?

[C]

Broom? Do you think I look like a witch?

[B]

You don't look like one. More like the good fairy after she'd heard about men. Now you fly on home, sweetheart, and I'll see you at 6.

[C]

Don't be late.

[B]

I'll be there with bones on. I tried to uncurl my toes and get my mind on business. Thinking of my spooked client didn't seem to help. But it was business. It was getting pretty late in the afternoon, so I put the office to bed for the night, picked up a bite to eat and went over to the Fifth Precinct to keep a coffee date with Lieutenant Levinson. When I walked into the squadroom, I spotted Sergeant Otis with his nose and a book. Oh, hello, Otis. What's with the book? Don't tell me you're learning to read. Hello, Shama. How's Trick the book sizes. What's the book ever? Or what book? Oh, Lieutenant, inside. He said for you to go write him when you came. Otis, tell Uncle Richard about the book. It's just a book. Yeah, I was trying to improve myself. Well, don't feel ashamed, Otis. You've got reason to do that. Yeah, very funny. I see. Hmm. The art of graceful dancing, Otis. Well, what's wrong with me dancing shammas? I. I don't want to be no social outcast. Dancing, well, maybe. But graceful? Otis, you couldn't be graceful even if your feet did match. Tell you what though. I'll give you a hand. Now just open your arms and pretend you have a dame. Go on. I'll start you on a waltz. Well, okay. Oh, no, no, no. She looked like an elephant with sprained ankles. Now try again and close your eyes. Otis, put me down. Oh. Oh, yeah. I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I thought you was a dang. You what? Oh, I mean, I had my eyes closed. I was dancing. Oh, Lieutenant, the shammers talked me into it. Rick, would you mind telling me what you were doing? Saving Arthur Murray ulcers. Yeah, well, come on in and get some coffee and Otis. Yeah, shut up. Shall I pour? Please. Do you know how I like mine, Walt? Yeah. No cream. 12 lumps. Better change that. I would think so. Okay. How Many? Make it 14. Your coffee's stronger than mine. It's not so strong. Lick. Here. Thanks. You better bite that spot off the desk. The varnish is beginning to smoke. Your jokes aren't any better. Gonna stick around for the hard game tonight? I can't, Walt. Got a client with a house full of spirits. What, the dead kind? With you on the job, there'll be corpses jumping out of every window. Yeah, well, if they start, I'll give you a call. I know, I know. Why don't you give up being a detective, Rick? Play postman or something? Walt, you just don't seem to appreciate my favors. Oh, I'm getting late. It's nearly six. It's a peaceful night, Rick. See if you can't keep it that way. Oh, sure, Walt, sure. This is one night you can take it easy. Give me two more lumps, please. Leaving Walt, and heading to the Bates house, I was feeling as happy as a bird in a hat full of worms. I had a hundred bucks to stall off the landlord, a lovely red headed girlfriend with curves and a spooked client with trouble. Everything great. Then the storm began to blow up. It had started to rain when I saw the Bates House on Temple Street. A big, ugly house straight out of a horror story with gables and shuttered windows. And as if that wasn't enough, I was met at the door by a butler who was a tiny thing, about 7ft tall and 300 pounds, with a face like the devil with a hangover. Come in. Oh, yeah. I wanted to see Mrs. Bates. Of course you are, Mr. Diamond. She left word with you. I need no word. I am the seventh son of a. What? The seventh son. Oh, no. This could go on forever. Okay, lead on. The name is Kane. Yeah. How's your brother? Well, forget it. Where's your Mrs. Bates? In the drawing room. This way, sir. Cozy little mausoleum. What time do the ghosts come out? Usually right after the vampire, sir. Oh, dandy. I hope they have an early show. Oh, it will be soon enough, sir. The dead are restless tonight. Maybe if I rock them to sleep. I got a rock, Mrs. Bates. Mr. Diamond.

[C]

Thank you, Kane. Hello, Rick. How do you like my house?

[B]

Oh, it's lovely. What are used for? Doorknobs, heads. And what's with the big zombie? You didn't mention him.

[C]

Kane? Oh, he's a fixture around here. But I get frightened more when he's around than when he's gone.

[B]

Well, now, you take it easy, baby. Come on over and sit down and let me chase those fears away.

[C]

Oh, that is an idea.

[B]

Name me a better.

[C]

Can I fix you a drink?

[B]

Oh, I. I think I'll take a glass of milk, sir. Here you are. Oh, now. Hey, look, Crusher. Put a bell around your neck or something. One more surprise like that and you'll be best man at a funeral. My apologies. Your milk, sir. Yeah, thanks. Come on, Julia, let's get back to where we were. And you, Kane, you. Hey, where'd he go?

[C]

Rick. Rick. There it is. Yeah, that's the way it starts. Listen. It's the stairs to the cellar. Someone's climbing them.

[B]

What? Oh, it's probably Kane's. Right, you wanted me, sir? Kane? Then who? You wait in here, Julia. I'll go out and get our nosy friends.

[C]

The cellar door is at the end of the hall.

[B]

I left Julia looking as nervous as a one legged man walking a tightrope and took off down the long hall. There was only one door, the one to the cellar. So I opened it and flipped on the switch. I was moving my ankles down the creaking steps when I heard. Trouble. What the devil? Julia. Julia, are you hurt? What is it?

[C]

Rick? Rick. Over there, in the closet. A dead man.

[B]

Oh, no, there's no dead man. In here?

[C]

Not there. But I saw him, Rick. I swear. There was a man in there. He was all bloody and there was a big knife in his chest.

[B]

Oh, but you must have been mistaken

[C]

about a corpse, Rick. He was there.

[B]

I don't see. Oh, wait a minute. On the floor, bloodstained.

[C]

You see, there was a man in there.

[B]

This is blood, all right. But where the body go? He couldn't have been moved that fast. Unless. Where's Kane? Right here, Mr. Diamond. But I did not move the dead one. No. Where were you just now when Julia screamed? Having tea with a vampire? No, I was in the kitchen, sir. Do not be mystified, Mr. Diamond. Accept the fact that you are in a house controlled by the other world. There's been a murder, Kane, and that brings it into this world.

[C]

Who are you calling?

[B]

A real life cop who likes to know about dead bodies.

[A]

Kicking around this week with digital coupons at Safeway and Albertsons. Get beef rib roast for $7.97 per pound. Member price with minimum purchase of $50 or more in a single transaction. Exclusions apply. See Store for details. And broccoli, cauliflower or Russet potatoes are 97 cents per pound. Member price limit 6 pounds plus selected sizes and varieties of lucerne butter cheese or Philadelphia cream cheese are 197 each member price. Visit Safeway or Albertsons.com for more deals and ways to save.

[B]

Lieutenant Levinson, Homicide. Walt? Rick. Oh, no. I know that tone. Where's the body? I wish I knew. Come on over to 209 East Temple Street. Wait. What do you mean you wish you knew? Is there a body there? Well, it's here someplace. Now, don't argue. Get over here. Wait, wait. And hurry. Kane, you can go back to the kitchen. But stay there. Don't roam around. As you wish, sir. And now, Julia baby, we're going to do some investigating.

[C]

Investigating?

[B]

That's right. I got a big yen to see what's in that vault downstairs. And this time I'm taking you with me.

[C]

But, Rick, it's locked.

[B]

I hope so, but I'm not making books.

[C]

You mean you think it may actually have been Warner? Come back from the dead and then kill that man?

[B]

I mean, right now, I don't know what I think. I wouldn't be surprised to run into Dracula sitting on top of the Wolf Man. Here's the basement. Hey, who turned out the light? I know I turned it on before. Yeah, that's better. Come on,

[C]

look at it. It's cold down here. Oh, hurry, Rick. I'm getting scared.

[B]

I don't like the feel of it myself. But I want to check this vault.

[C]

See? See the footprints there in the dust?

[B]

I see them, but I don't believe them. Not yet. Yeah. I'll try the door of the vault.

[C]

Why? It's unlocked.

[B]

Yeah. Look what's inside.

[C]

The coffin is empty.

[B]

It's empty all right. And it's open.

[C]

Are you going inside?

[B]

No, no, I. I think I'll stay out here.

[C]

The light, Rick. Who put out the light?

[B]

It wasn't Edison, baby. We got company. Julia. I told you I'd come back for you. Hey, what is this? I am dead. You know who I am, don't you, Julia?

[C]

Yes, yes, I know it. Your honor.

[B]

I'm coming for you tonight, Julia. I will appear at 9 o'. Clock. I'd better set my watch. Be prepared to meet me, Julia, at 9:00'.

[C]

Clock. No, no, no, no.

[B]

Take it easy, baby. Rick, you down there? Oh, hallelujah. Yeah, well, turn on the lights. Sure there are. Rick. What are you doing? Oh, I'm blocked. I should have known. Well, do come upstairs and join me. We're coming, Walt. Now what is this all about, Rick? In a minute, Walt. Otis, help Mrs. B into the living room. She's pretty shaken up. Sure, Shamas. Come on, lady. Now what is there's all this about R. I'll come on back downstairs with me, Walt, and get your gun out. Somewhere in this cellar is a dead man with a lousy sense of humor. Well, we searched the long celibate good while I briefed Walt on the events of the evening. Neither was much of a success. Walt didn't believe me and our ghost remained a ghost. As we went back up into the living room. I was at a point where I didn't believe the things myself. They couldn't have happened, but they had. Hey, otis, where did Mrs. Bates go? She went upstairs to pack. Shama said she was going to leave. Leave? And give up her dough all for Pete's sake. She not just because of this ghost house. Ghost house? Oh, this is the wackiest yet. Rick, if I didn't know you were so. Do I look like I'm happy about these things? I'm at a point where I'm believing in spooks and spirit worlds and dead men who talk from out of nowhere. Yeah, to the Chalmers is afraid of spooks. This I'm loving, Otis. I know, Lieutenant. Shut up. Did I say that, Otis? Well, no, Lieutenant. What do you want me to do? Shut up. Oh, gee, I wish I Had a glass. A glass of water. Sergeant. Oh, come out from behind that chair, Otis. It's only Kane. Who's he? Well, didn't he let you in? No. We found the door open when we rang and no one answered. We came in. Oh, did you, Kane? Where were you? Did you hear the doorbell? I knew the door was open, Mr. Diamond, and I was busy. Like maybe playing ghost? No, sir. Baking a cake. Cake? Oh, swell, Rick.

[C]

All packed. Will you take me to a hotel?

[B]

Julia, look, you can't leave. Think of the money.

[C]

Money or no money, I'm getting out of here. Rick, that was Warner's voice. And I, I, I just don't have the nerve to stay.

[B]

But look, baby, you know there aren't any such things as ghosts.

[C]

Do I? You were in the cellar with me. You heard him. And did you find anybody down there afterwards?

[B]

Well, no, but. Just a minute, Mrs. Bates. You saw a murdered man earlier this evening, didn't you?

[C]

You know I did. In that closet.

[B]

Yeah. Well, until I find out who he is and who killed him, you don't leave this house.

[C]

But, But Warner.

[B]

I'm sorry, Julia. We'll protect you, but you can't leave. Otis, take Mrs. Bates into the library and make her comfortable. Yellowton. Come on, Mrs. Bates. Well, now, Rick, enough is enough. How could there have been a body in that closet one minute, not the next? Where did it go and why? How the devil should I know? She saw it, screamed, I ran back, opened the closet and it was gone. Oh, great. Now, come on. I want a better look at that closet. Looks all right. Wonder how it sounds. Use your gunpowder on the walls now. Yeah, this is it. But where's the latch? Must be some way to open this section. Try those hooks. Yeah. No, not them. Maybe this rat secret room, just like in the movies. Oh. Oh, there he is. Yeah, we found the corpse, Walt. And how he disappeared so fast. Oh, some mess. Blood all over him. Walt. Hey, this is no corpse. What? Oh, now don't start that. No. Well, look at it closer, Walt. It's a dummy. Well, it is. Wax dummy with blood smeared on it. No wonder I wasn't meant to see it. Oh, this is it. I'm getting out of this crazy house. Corpses that talk, corpses that aren't corpses. I've had enough. This is just plain ridiculous. Now wait, Walt. Someone planted this dummy. And someone is trying to scare Mrs. Bates out of this house. That same someone is in this house right now. And if he hasn't stopped, it may mean her murder. How you feeling, Julia?

[C]

I'M exhausted, Rick.

[B]

But I found the body, Julia. It was a dummy.

[C]

A dummy? Well, then. Then there wasn't any murdered man.

[B]

No. This whole thing is a bluff. Even that voice in the cellar.

[C]

Oh, no, that couldn't be. That was Warner's voice, Rick. I know it was. And he's not in his coffin.

[B]

I know, baby. And I think that's all phony too. Now tell me, who knew of that only key in the coffin business?

[C]

Just myself and. And Mr. Anderson.

[B]

Anderson?

[C]

Oh, that's right. You remember. He was Warner's lawyer.

[B]

Oh, yeah. How about Kane? Did he know of the key?

[C]

I don't know, Rick. He may have. Warner confided in him a great deal.

[B]

Rick, this isn't getting us any place. Come with me. Otis, you stay with Mrs. Bates. Yell. All right, Walt, what are we going to do? Grill the dummy? Go ahead, be funny. But I want to search this whole house. Oh, Walt, this place is a nut house full of secret rooms and hocus pocus. It'll take two maps and a Ouija board to get around it. Well, I'm going to get around it and up these stairs. As good a place as any to start. Hello, Walt. Oh, stairs that lead to a blank wall. Rick, that's too much. Now would you stop playing games? Playing games, he says. Oh, where is my bicarbonate? Here you are, Lieutenant. Sorry to be late. Where's the thunder cane? You missed a cube. Will there be anything else? I don't see how, sir. Not unless Frankenstein drops in for a game of jacks. I doubt if he will tonight. It's at his house. So I'll be on hand if you need anything. We won't go on back to your embalming. Come on, Walt. You feeling okay? No, I'll never feel okay again. Rick, I've stood for your getting me mixed up in some crazy cases, but this night I'll never forgive. Don't quit on me now, Walt. We still have to find that spook and keep Julia from being killed. How? Please tell me how. Look, he said he was going to appear at 9 o'clock tonight to take her to the spirit world with him. Yeah, well, I'll get a squad down here to see that he doesn't. No, no, I'll wait. He'll never show up if we're all hanging around, right? Well, yeah. The only way we can catch the ghost is for him to show up, right? Yeah, go on. So what do we do? So we pretend to leave, make a big fuss about giving the whole thing up, then we sneak back in and hide. We wait and see if he shows up. And when he said he wouldn't. If he does, we nab him. Case closed. Well, it sounds screwy, but to wind this case up, I'll buy anything. Where do we hide? We'll get Julia to wait in the living room. We'll sneak back and hide in that secret room behind the closet. If the ghost shows, we can grab him as soon as he gives himself away. And I think he'll show. After getting Julia to agree to the idea, Walt, Otis and I made a big thing about leaving the house. Then we sneaked back in and hid in the secret room back at the living room closet. The closet door was open enough so we could see Julia pretending to read on the couch. And for the next few centuries, we waited. Waited for a dead man to keep a date. What time is it, Rick? It's two minutes to nine. If he's going to show, it won't be long. Hey, you think a dead man really can come back to life? If you don't shut up, Otis, I'll give you a personal chance to try. I wish he'd hurry. Yeah, well, it's just time. Now, I hope Julia plays her part. Okay. She looks pretty nervous. No. Why would she be nervous? She's only waiting for a dead man. A phony dead man. Walt, I hope. Now don't you start believing in ghosts. You know there aren't any such ghosts. Rick, the lights went out. Listen, I told you I would come for you. Julia, it is 9 o'.

[C]

Clock. Please, please don't take me out. I don't want to die.

[B]

Rick, that's him. Wait a minute. Walt. I am the dead Julia. I am your husband.

[C]

Yes, yes, I know.

[B]

You must leave this house. Come on, Walt. Right. And Otis, be quiet. Oh, I will. I know enough not to make any noise. What was that? Rick.

[C]

Rick, hurry.

[B]

Come on, let's grab him. We all took off after the ghost. It led us on the screwiest chase yet. In and out of the secret passages upstairs and then back downstairs again. Trying to lay hands on him is like trying to swat a fly by the piece of string. He finally made a break for the outside door. Then, not to be outdone, I made like a big athlete. Hey, that was a pretty nifty tackle, Typhon. Rick, you okay? Yeah. As soon as I get this hood off, I'm gonna have a few words of this spook. There. He's out cold. Otis, bring Mrs. Bates in here. Come on, you. Wake up. Who is he? I don't know. Come on, wake up before I make a real ghost out of you. Okay, okay. Don't hit me anymore, please. Here she is, Lieutenant. Mrs. Bates, you know who this man is?

[C]

What? Why, It's Warner's lawyer, Mr. Anderson. The executor of the estate.

[B]

Sure, baby. Had to be. All right, buster, what's the story?

[C]

Oh, all right, all right.

[B]

The money. If I could get Julia to break the will, I. I had a dummy charity set up so I could get the estate. He's all yours, Walt. Wrap him up. It'll be a pleasure. Oh, this. Put the cuffs on him. Take him out of here. Yeah, Lieutenant. Come on, Spooky. Well, that takes care of that. Hey, what about Kane? He must have known about all this. Of course I knew, Lieutenant. But I did not wish to intrude. Those who interfere with the dead pay their own penalty. Lose their haunting license, nothing. Oh, sir, my cake is done. Would you like some? It's devil's food. No, thanks. I'll skip it with not. Julia walked me to the door.

[C]

Of course.

[B]

Rick, I'll leave you with Kane Wall. Tell him a ghost story. Feeling all right, baby?

[C]

Oh, yes.

[B]

Much better.

[C]

I'm fine now that I know there's nothing to be afraid of. Tomorrow I'll be moving into an apartment. Will you come and see me? We have things to talk over.

[B]

Like what, honey?

[C]

Like sharing a mood. You know, just the two of us.

[B]

With that, she reached up and showed me what she meant with a big smoochie. Ah. I'd have probably stuck around, but I was afraid the house would be too disturbing. I wouldn't have minded having to get up to chase the bats out of the room. But with Kane showing up every time I wanted something, well, that could have led to complications. So I left Walt and Otis to clean things up. Better not too fond. Farewell to Cain and went from the house of horror to the one that was full of redhead and the piano. The redhead was wearing a red dress with a new. You know what I mean.

[C]

Well, did you think you were going to make it?

[B]

I had a tough case tonight, honey. Thought I might not get away at all.

[C]

I bet you did.

[B]

Why, Helen, baby, all of a sudden

[C]

you sound suspicious without any effort, darling. Especially when it comes to blondes.

[B]

Blondes? You mean girls. Girls.

[C]

Blonde girls with hair like this on your lapel. Oh, and the lipstick on your cheek and the look in your eye.

[B]

Oh, you know how it is, honey. Brilliant detective saves clients life and fortune. She had to be grateful.

[C]

Brilliant detective just Keep on making me so jealous of you. And one of these days the world is going to lose a brilliant detective.

[B]

No. Someone gonna rub out Sam's fate. Oh, what's the use? Oh, now, baby, don't be mad. Come on, let's.

[C]

No, I'm upset and I'm unhappy.

[B]

If I sing, will you be happy again? I don't know. Well, I'll try. I'll sing my rear old head off. I need your love so badly I love you oh so madly But I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you. I thought at last I'd found you but other loves around you and I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you Are you listening? If you'll surrender Just for a tender kiss or to.

[C]

To

[B]

you might discover that I'm the lover meant for you and I'd be true but what's the good of scheming? I know I must be dreaming But I don't stand a G of a ton chance with you.

[C]

Happy you sang night.

[B]

Do we neck?

[C]

No, no, it's still early enough to calculate. Shell.

[B]

Well, if I take it to the shore. Okay. What's the show you want to see?

[C]

Oh, it's a wonderful horror picture full of spooks. The Ghost Talk.

[B]

Oh, no, no, no. You have just heard Richard Diamond, Private Detective, starring Dick Paul. Helen was played by Virginia Gregg, Lieutenant Levinson by Ed Begley. Also in our cast were Wilms Herbert, Joan Banks, Paul Freeze and Robert Clark. Music was under the direction of Frank Wirth. Portions were transcribed. Tonight's story was written by Herb Burdham and edited and directed by Blake Edwards. Vic Powell soon will be seen in the screen version of the best selling novel, Mrs. Mike. Now this is Tal Avery inviting you to be with us again. It's the same time next week when we will again bring you Dick Powell as Richard Diamond, Private Detective. What's on NBC tomorrow? There's great comedy in store for you on the Phil Harris Alice Fay show when Phil and Frankie go shopping for Alice's Christmas present. And there's excellent drama on Theater Guild on the air tomorrow. Richard Conti, Diana Lynn and Shirley Booth will be starred in the Pulitzer Prize winning play Street Scene on Theater Guild on the.